Dental patient drape

ABSTRACT

A lightweight inflatable patient drape including a pair of opposed impermeable sheets secured together to form an interior cavity which is divided into longitudinal chambers. The body of the drape also has a pair of opposed projecting yoke or neck members adapted to fit around the neck of the wearer and is provided with a valve for inflation purposes. Due to the existence of the longitudinal compartments, upon inflation the device will automatically adopt a curved configuration in cross section compatible with the curvature of the patient&#39;&#39;s body thereby minimizing contact with the body of the patient and permitting better air circulation and comfort. Due to the cushioning effect of the air pockets or compartments, greater patient protection is also provided against sharp or heavy dental instruments that are commonly exchanged or carried over the body of the patient during dental operations. In addition, an adhesive layer may be coated to the outside surfaces of the drape to attach neck bands or towels of a disposable nature. A modified form is also disclosed wherein the drape is either filled with lightweight foam material, such as styrofoam, or entirely molded of such material thereby avoiding the need for inflation.

United States Patent [191 Malmin 1 DENTAL PATIENT DRAPE [76] Inventor:Oscar Malmin, 127 East Wayne Ave., Akron, Ohio 44301 22 Filed: Feb. 9,1972 21 Appl. No.: 224,865

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-in-part of Ser. No.183,519, Sept. 24,

1971, abandoned.

[52] US. Cl. 32/1, 2/2

[51] Int. Cl. A22c 19/00,

[58] Field of Search 128/292, 82, 132 D, 2/66, 2/67, 68, 2,50, 51,48, 46

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS.

745,007 11/1903 Gamble 2/2 2,421,195 5/1947 Goldsmith 2,990,549 7/1961Doughty 3,500,472 3/1970 Castellani 2/2' Primary Examiner-Robert PeshockAttorney, Agent, or Firm-Freeman & Taylor 1 1 Feb. 4, 1975 [57] 1ABSTRACT A lightweight inflatable patient drape including a pair ofopposed impermeable sheets secured together to form an interior cavitywhich is divided into longitudinal chambers. The body of the drape alsohas a pair of opposed projecting yoke or neck members adapted to fitaround the neck of the wearer and is provided with a valve for inflationpurposes. Due to the existence of the longitudinal compartments, uponinflation the device will automatically adopt a curved configuration incross section compatible with the curvature of the patients body therebyminimizing contact with the body of the patient and permitting betterair circulation and comfort. Due to the cushioning effect of the airpockets or compartments, greater patient protection is also providedagainst sharp or heavy dental instruments that are commonly exchanged orcarried over the body of the patient during dental operations. Inaddition, an adhesive layer may be coated to the outside surfaces of thedrape to attach neck bands or towels of a disposable nature. A modifiedform is also disclosed wherein the drape is either filled withlightweight foam -material, such as styrofoam, or entirely molded ofsuch material thereby avoiding the need for inflation.

10 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEDFEB 41975 3863,3423 SHEEI 10F 2INVENTOR.

' OSCAR MALMIN FIG. 5 gm J74 A TTORNE YS PATENTED 3,863 .343

- sum 2 or 2 1 DENTAL PATIENT DRAPE RELATED APPLICATIONS Thisapplication is a continuation-in-part of Applicants earlier filedco-pending application Serial No. 183,519, filed September 24, 1971 andnow abandoned, as Dental Patient Drape.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention, in general, relates todrapes or other protective devices utilized to protect the clothes andbody of dental patients. The invention specifically relates to either aninflatable drape or one filled with foam material which gives improvedprotection while also improving the comfort factor.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART Due to the nature of dental treatment, thebody of the patient must be protected against contact from causticliquids, splashing water, flying debris, projectiles from drills, etc.,and also the body must be protected from sharp hand instruments or heavydrills or handpieces which can easily be dropped onto the patient.

The known forms of drapes for these purposes usually consist of a thinlayer of plastic material cut into the form of an apron. Some of thesemay have straps for securing the drape to the neck, or some of them aresecured by clips of various types. These devices, while protecting thepatients body from liquids and water spray, offer very little protectionagainst penetration or trauma by dropped instruments, for example.

Furthermore, due to the material of which these are made, they tendtocling closely to the body, thereby producing a great deal ofdiscomfortto the patient, particularly in hot weather since they, in effect, trapthe natural body heat thereby increasing the possibility of syncope(fainting).

Applicant is also aware of the following patent prior art: Gamble US.Pat. No. 745,007; Ridlon US. Pat. No. 876,237; Mooney US. Pat. No.1,657,866; Sullivan U.S. Pat. No. 3,447,175;Alarco U.S. Pat. No.3,550,159;

Most of these patents disclose various types of inflatable devices, suchas athletic chest protectors or life preservers. None of them, however,disclose the unique construction by which Applicant obtainssubstantially complete protection of the body of the patient while,

at the same time, improving the comfort factor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It has been found that an improved patientdrape can be provided which will overcome the above-noted defects in theprior art by providing a pair ofimpermeable sheets secured togetherabout their edges-so as to form.

It-has also been discovered that equally satisfactory results can beobtained by providing a filling of lightweight plastic foam within thedrape. In this way the protective and comfort features above-describedare retained, but the potential problem of punctures or ruptures in thesheets is obviated. It is also, of course, possible to mold the entiredrape of such foam.

Accordingly, production of an improved patient drape of the characterdescribedbecomes the principal object of this invention, with otherobjects thereof becoming more apparent upon a reading of the followingbrief specification, considered and interpreted in view of theaccompanying drawings.

OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a plan view of the improved drape.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. I showingthe curvature adopted by the drape upon inflation.

FIG. 3v is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1 showingthe contact of the neck or yoke portion of the drape with the neck ofthe wearer.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 ofFIG. 1 showing themating between the opposed yoke portions.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 2 showing the foam-filledmodification.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Considering FIGS. 1 and 2, theimproved drape, generally indicated by the numeral 10, includes opposedimpermeable sheets 12,12 which are secured to each otherabout theirperiphery as at 1221,12a. This has the effect of forming an air-tightinterior compartment.

Again referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, it will be noted that the overalldrape is then divided into a plurality of Iongitudinal chambers 14,14which are formed by sealing the sheets 12,12 as at 13,13. i

It will be noted that at the top of the drape a pair of opposed yokemembers 15,15 are provided and that these are curved so as to conformsubstantially to the configuration of the neck of a patient.

Referring to FIG. 4, it will be seen that'these yoke portions 15,15 meetat their rounded ends, l5a,l5a following inflation without the need forany connecting means although snaps or ties could obviously be added ifdesired.

The drape also is indented somewhat as at 16,160 at the point where theyoke portions join the body. This facilitates bending around the neckupon inflation; if the indentation is greater as in 16a, then thebending effect is more propounded.

tional configuration, as indicated at 17. In this fashion no sharp orrough edges are in contact with the neck N of the wearer, thus providingimproved comfort.

In use or operation of the improved drape, it is under stood that itwould be placed about the patient with the yoke members 15,15 beingbrought together atthe rear or back of the neck.

Inflation is accomplished by valve 20 which is shown schematically onlybecause any number of conventional valves could be used with equalsuccess.

Once inflation has taken place, the longitudinal compartments 14,14 willcause the drape 10 to bow, as

clearly shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. In this fashion, only a small portion ofthe drape itself will contact the body' of the user, and in this fashionalso air circulation is permitted between the drape and the body.

Furthermore, the yoke portions 15,15 upon inflation will provide supportand cushioning for the head and neck of the patient thereby increasinghis comfort.

Neck bands or towels may also be attached to the drape by pressing themon the adhesive layer coated on the outside surfaces of the drape. It isalso anticipated that clips or other means of attaching neck bands ortowels could be used with this drape. These means are shown, forexample, in FIG. 1 and are generally indicated by the numeral 50. Theycould include straps sewn or otherwise secured to the drape and haveclamps or clips of conventional constructions to hold the towels or neckbands.

A device of this nature will protect the patient not only from liquidswhich might be spilled on him or sprayed on him during the operation,but will also serve to protect him from instruments which may bedropped.

Furthermore, this improved protection is achieved with an attendantimprovement in the comfort of the patient. I

Finally, body straps 40,40 can also be employed, if desired, to securethe drape to the body of the wearer.

Turning next then to FIG. 5, a modified form of the invention isdisclosed. Thus, in the form of the invention described inFIGS. 1through 4, an inflatable drape is provided which achieves two goals.First, it protects the body of the wearer and his clothes from damagethrough spilling, dropping, etc. Second, due to the arcuateconfiguration of the drape, an air passage is permitted between theunder surface of the drape and the body of the-wearer for comfort. Whilethis form of the invention is perfectly acceptable and functional, dueto the fact that it does require an air-tight internal chamber, it issusceptible to mal-function due to damage such as, for example, droppinga sharp instrument on it which might cause a puncture.

Accordingly then, the form of the invention shown in FIG. 5 is intendedto achieve the two objects set forth above in connection with the formshown in FIGS. 1 through 4, while eliminating any possibility ofmalfunction due to puncturing or rupturing of the membranes 12,12. Thusthe form of the invention shown in FIG. 5 includes opposed sheets112,112 which are stitched together or heat-sealed together as clearlyshown in the drawings. Once more the longitudinal compartments areformed by means of the seams 113,113 but in this form of the inventionrather than filling the drape with air and inflating it, the drape ismanufactured with a quantity of lightweight foam, such as styrofoam forexample, generally indicated by the numeral 120, within the longitudinalcompartments;

Due to the consistency of the foam material, the lightweight feature ofthe drape is retained. Furthermore the arcuate contour which permits theair pocket be-, tween the body and most of the under surface of thedrape is also maintained, thus providing comfort to the wearer. Theprotective and cushioning effect is, of course, also still obtained inthis form of the invention, but any damage to the skin or sheet material112 will not render the drape inoperative as might be the case inconnection with the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 through 4.

It is also possible to mold the entire drape of this foam material witha smooth outer surface caused by contact with the mold during themolding operation. This, of course, would be a less expensive versionofthe 5 drape. This form would be molded having the arcuatecross-sectional configuration which the compartments impart to the drapein the inflatable version.

It should be also noted here that only a sectional view has been shownof this modified form of the invention, with it being understood thatall of the other features illustrated and described in connection withthe form of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 through 4 would beincorporated into the modified drape with the only basic differencebeing that the drape is no longer an inflatable drape but rather is afoam-filled one.

While a full and complete description of the invention has been setforth in accordance with the dictates of the Patent Statutes, it isunderstood that modifications may be resorted to without departingfrom-the spirit hereof or the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An inflatable protective patient drape,-comprising;

A. a pair of impermeable membranes secured together at their peripheriesto form an air-tight chamber;

B. means for introducing air into said chamber;

C. said membranes being secured to each other at transversely spacedintervals to divide said chamber into a plurality of longitudinallyextending compartments 1. whereby said drape assumes a curved crosssectional configuration upon inflation and;

D. said membranes each having a pair of opposed,

integral inflatable neck-engaging members at one end, with saidneck-engaging members being arcuate .in planar and cross-sectionalconfiguration-and substantially encircling the patients neck l.wherebysaid members will support the head and neck of said patient.

2. The drape of claim 1 further characterized by the presence ofadhesive means on the outer surface of one of said membranes adjacentone end of said drape.

3. The drape of claim 1 further characterized by the presence of aplurality of body straps secured to the outer surface of at least one ofsaid membranes.

4. The drape of claim 1 further characterized by the presence ofattachment means secured to the outer surface of at least one saidmembrane.

5. A protective patient drape, comprising;

A. a pair of sheets secured togetherat their peripher ies to form asubstantially closed chamber; B. said sheets being secured to each otherat trans= versely spaced intervals to divide said chamber into aplurality of longitudinally extending compart ments; and

C. a quantity of lightweight foam material being received in andsubstantially filling said compartments; D. said sheets each having apair of opposed foamfilled neck-engaging rnembers having an arcuateplanar and cross-sectional configuration and substantially encirclingthe neck of the patient and projecting from one end of said drape 1.whereby said members will support the head and neck of said patient.

6 6. The drape of claim 5 further characterized by the C. a pair ofopposed neck-engaging members having presence of means for Securing Saidrape o the body an arcuate planar and cross-sectional configuration ofthe patientand substantially encircling the neck of the patient 7. Thedrape of claim 5 further characterized by the and projecting f one end fSaid drape presence of attachment means carried on the outer sur- 5 faceof at least one of said sheets.

8. A protective patient drape comprising; A. an elongate body oflight-weight foam material adapted to cover at least the upper portionof the 1. whereby said members will support the head and neck of saidpatient. 9. The drape of claim 8 further characterized by the body ofsaid patient; 10 of the patient I B id b d b i arcuate i cross section10. The drape of claim 8 further characterized by the 1. whereby only tho b d edges there f presence of attachment means carried on the outersurcontact the body of said patient with the remainface of at least oneof said sheets. ing surfaces being spaced therefrom; and i5 presence ofmeans for securing said drape to the body.

1. An inflatable protective patient drape, comprising; A. a pair ofimpermeable membranes secured together at their peripheries to form anair-tight chamber; B. means for introducing air into said chamber; C.said membranes being secured to each other at transversely spacedintervals to divide said chamber into a plurality of longitudinallyextending compartments
 1. whereby said drape assumes a curved crosssectional configuration upon inflation and; D. said membranes eachhaving a pair of opposed, integral inflatable neck-engaging members atone end, with said neckengaging members being arcuate in planar andcross-sectional configuration and substantially encircling thepatient''s neck
 1. whereby said members will support the head and neckof said patient.
 2. The drape of claim 1 further characterized by thepresence of adhesive means on the outer surface of one of said membranesadjacent one end of said drape.
 3. The drape of claim 1 furthercharacterized by the presence of a plurality of body straps secured tothe outer surface of at least one of said membranes.
 4. The drape ofclaim 1 further characterized by the presence of attachment meanssecured to the outer surface of at least one said membrane.
 5. Aprotective patient drape, comprising; A. a pair of sheets securedtogether at their peripheries to form a substantially closed chamber; B.said sheets being secured to each other at transversely spaced intervalsto divide said chamber into a plurality of longitudinally extendingcompartments; and C. a quantity of lightweight foam material beingreceived in and substantially filling said compartments; D. said sheetseach having a pair of opposed foam-filled neck-engaging members havingan arcuate planar and cross-sectional configuration and substantiallyencircling the neck of the patient and projecting from one end of saiddrape
 6. The drape of claim 5 further characterized by the presence ofmeans for securing said drape to the body of the patient.
 7. The drapeof claim 5 further characterized by the presence of attachment meanscarried on the outer surface of at least one of said sheets.
 8. Aprotective patient drape comprising; A. an elongate body of light-weightfoam material adapted to cover at least the upper portion of the body ofsaid patient; B. said body being arcuate in cross-section
 9. The drapeof claim 8 further characterized by the presence of means for securingsaid drape to the body of the patient.
 10. The drape of claim 8 furthercharacterized by the presence of attachment means carried on the outersurface of at least one of said sheets.